Tips for Travelers Renting a Car in Europe
General Information
In Europe, all possible types of transportation are available: taxis, buses, rental cars, subways and elevated trains, trams, RVs/campers, ferries, and even horse-drawn carriages...
Except in large, crowded cities (such as London, Paris, or Amsterdam), the most suitable land transportation for a family on the road is a rental car. Public transportation does not reach everywhere you might wish to visit; this is especially true for trips to small towns or villages and excursions into nature. Traveling with a dedicated car, without the need to hustle from one means of transport to another with your children and luggage, is a minimum condition for enjoyment, relaxation, and a healthy back...
It is recommended to pick up the rental car at the airport where you land. This will save you time and hassle. Furthermore, the cost of transit from the airport to the city center is very expensive for families, so even if the rental rate is higher at the airport than in the city center (due to airport fees/taxes), it is still preferable to pick up and return the car at the airport.
It is recommended to rent a car well in advance from home and include the maximum possible options in the prepaid reservation: insurance, taxes, and all extras (such as an additional driver). It is very important to check the deductible amount (in Europe, the deductible can sometimes exceed 700 Euros!) and purchase deductible waiver/zero-excess insurance. Car rental companies inspect the returned vehicle very thoroughly, and any small scratch will be billed at exorbitant rates. You should thoroughly inspect the car before driving off from the rental lot and mark every scuff and scratch on the designated inspection form. Make sure you keep a copy of the form. Report immediately to the nearest police station any accident, however minor.
If you intend to drive into one of the former Eastern European countries (even those that are now part of the European Union), check in advance (before departing) whether you are permitted to do so (you might be surprised to learn that there are problematic destinations such as Croatia, and certain car models are forbidden from entering specific countries. For example: entering Italy with certain luxury cars rented in Germany is prohibited), and verify whether the insurance remains valid. You will often be required to pay a substantial cross-border fee.
Viator - Viator
A recommended website for booking transfers, tours, day trips, and activities worldwide. You do not always have to rent a car. Here you can also book transfers from the airport to your hotel and vice versa.
Viator is a TripAdvisor company.
Booking the Rental Car
It is preferable to rent a car from a large, well-known company that has many branches and service stations all across Europe.
It pays to compare the different companies and check whether you are entitled to discounts or upgrades. Members of various organizations, consumer clubs, and associations are often offered significant benefits when booking directly with car rental companies. The daily rental rate decreases the longer the rental period is.
However, there are good search engines that do this tedious comparison for you based on the pickup location, rental dates, and car type you enter, giving you the company with the best available price.
♦ Car rental through the reliable and convenient Booking website: Booking.com
Vehicle Types and Equipment
In Europe, prices for automatic cars are tens of percent higher than for manual transmission vehicles. Prices for 7-seater or larger vans are sky-high. In most countries (including the most advanced ones), you cannot rent an automatic minivan.
For a family of 4–5 people, it is advisable to rent at least a Category D vehicle. It is best to rent a station wagon (estate car) or a compact minivan (such as an Opel Zafira or Renault Scenic), which have larger luggage compartments than the average family sedan.
Rental Location
Car rental prices vary significantly among European countries. The cheapest country is usually Germany. This is one of the reasons Munich serves as an attractive departure hub for trips in Germany and its neighboring countries, such as Austria, Italy, and even Slovenia.
If you plan to return the car in a different destination or country (a one-way road trip), find out if this is allowed. If so, check the return fee between the two locations. This fee is called a Drop Off Charge. It can range from a modest fee of a few dozen dollars to several hundred dollars. Drop-off charge policies vary from company to company.
Driver Age Requirements
Most car rental companies require the renter to be at least 25 years old and have a valid credit card. If you do not meet these criteria, check before departure what arrangements can be made. A young driver aged 21–25 can usually drive upon paying an additional young driver surcharge. Drivers under the age of 21 are generally not permitted to drive a rental vehicle. If you are joined by an adult child who loves to take the wheel, prepare them in advance for the fact that they may have to refrain from driving throughout the entire trip.
Usually, the rate includes unlimited mileage, but it is important to confirm this to avoid unpleasant surprises at final payment time.
Toll Roads
Some highways are toll roads—usage fees are collected at designated barriers or toll booths located along the highway. Newer toll roads or routes with long tunnels carved through mountains are more expensive, and traveling through them can cost 10–20 Euros.
Windshield Vignette Stickers for Toll Roads
In several European countries, you are required to purchase a toll sticker (vignette) and affix it to the car's windshield. Vehicles without a valid vignette will be photographed by enforcement cameras, and the violation invoice will be forwarded via the car rental company along with processing fees and heavy fines. Countries that require a vignette include Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, and potentially others; I recommend asking about this when you collect your car.
For Those Traveling with Young Children:
The age up to which children are legally required to ride in an approved child car safety seat varies from country to country. Check whether your children require a safety seat under local laws. If so, expect an additional fee of about $10 per day from the rental company for car seat rental. If you are renting a car for longer than a week, it is often cheaper to purchase a new child seat locally than to rent one. Another option is to bring your own child seat from home (airlines typically allow you to check it in as luggage).
If your children (especially younger ones) fall asleep easily while riding in the car, schedule your longer drives during their usual nap times or late evening hours. If you hit the road when they are wide awake and have just gotten up, you will miss the opportunity for a quiet, relaxed drive.
Try not to drive too many continuous hours at a stretch. Children get bored on the road very quickly, no matter how scenic the drive is. It is not pleasant at all to endure constant complaints of boredom or hear: "Are we there yet???"
For situations where long drives are unavoidable, here are several practical recommendations in the article:
Activities and Gear for Entertaining Children on Road Trips Abroad